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Wimbledon 2019: 10 unforgettable moments

andrewhendrie in Features 22 Mar 2020
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer (Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM)


With uncertainty surrounding the status of Wimbledon 2020, we thought we’d go back and relive the 10 best moments of the 2019 tournament.

Coco Gauff makes history

Coco Gauff after beating Venus Williams (Photo by Cynthia Lum/Icon Sportswire) (Credit Image: © Cynthia Lum/Icon SMI via ZUMA Press)

After qualifying for the main draw (the youngest player in Wimbledon history to do so), 15-year-old Gauff stunned the world when she knocked out five-time champion and 39-year-old Venus Williams in the opening round.

In a match between the youngest and oldest players in the draw, Gauff prevailed to become the youngest player to win a main draw singles match at The Championships since Jennifer Capriati in 1991. Gauff went on to beat Magdalena Rybarikova and Polona Hercog before going down to eventual champion Simona Halep in the R16.

Nadal vs Kyrgios

There was no love lost between Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios as the pair collided in a highly-anticipated second round showdown.

“I’m not sure that me and Rafa could go down to the Dog & Fox and have a beer together. I don’t know him at all,” Kyrgios said pre-match.

And after Nadal emerged victorious in four entertaining sets, Kyrgios had more to say – the following in regards to the Australian admitting he tried to hit the Spaniard at the net during a rally.

“Why would I apologise? I mean, the dude has got how many slams, how much money in the bank account? I think he can take a ball to the chest, bro. I’m not going to apologise to him at all.”

Nadal, who gave Kyrgios a cold stare after the incident, went on to label the Australian as ‘dangerous’, adding another chapter to the pair’s spicy feud.

Baghdatis says farewell

Former top 10 star and Wimbledon semi-finalist Marcos Baghdatis played the last match of his professional career at SW19 in 2019, going down in straight sets in the second round to 17th seed Matteo Berrettini.

It was an emotional farewell for the popular Cypriot, who dazzled tennis fans all over the world with his engaging personality and miraculous shotmaking.

Independence Day fireworks: Davis stuns Kerber

One of the biggest upsets of the tournament saw American lucky loser Lauren Davis topple defending champion Angelique Kerber 2-6 6-2 6-1, firing 45 winners in a blistering performance after dropping the opening set.

It was the first time in Open Era history that a defending Grand Slam champion had lost to a lucky loser, giving Americans something big to celebrate on July 4.

Serena/Andy form legendary pairing

Two of the sport’s biggest stars combined at Wimbledon 2019 as Andy Murray – making his Grand Slam comeback from hip resurfacing surgery – teamed up with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles.

Andy Murray and Serena Williams (PA Images)

For the first time in Wimbledon history, early round mixed doubles was played on Centre Court, with the superstar pairing understandably drawing immense interest from fans. Murray and Serena made it to the third round, defeating 14th seeds Fabrice Martin and Raquel Atawo along the way, before falling to top seeds Bruno Soarer and Nicole Melichar in three sets.

Magical Muchova

Young Czech star Karolina Muchova become the first player to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals on their main draw debut since Li Na in 2006.

Muchova defeated 20th seed Anett Kontaveit before a stunning fourth round upset of third seed and compatriot Karolina Pliskova, coming back from a set down to emerge triumphant in a marathon, 4-6 7-5 13-11. Her run was eventually halted by Elina Svitolina in the last eight as the Ukrainian made her first major semi-final.

Federer conquers Nadal in historic rematch

It was episode No. 40 of the classic Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal rivalry and the pair’s first match-up at Wimbledon since their unforgettable 2008 final, which many label as the greatest tennis match of all time.

Naturally, the hype for this showdown was enormous, and it didn’t disappointment as Federer and Nadal combined to produce some spectacular tennis, but ultimately it was the Swiss who came out on top in four sets, breaking the Wimbledon ace record previously held by Goran Ivanisevic along the way.

Bautista Agut’s change of plans

One of the tour’s most consistent performers, Roberto Bautista Agut took his game to the next level in 2019 as he made his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon – but clearly he didn’t have much faith in himself, with the Spaniard revealing during the tournament that he had scheduled his stag do in Ibiza for the same weekend the semi-finals were taking place.

Bautista Agut beat Karen Khachanov and Benoit Paire to make the final four and even managed to take a set off eventual champion Novak Djokovic before bowing out in four.

Sensational Simona secures second slam

Simona Halep (PA Images)

In a performance no one saw coming, Simona Halep completed a straight sets demolition of Serena Williams to win her second major title.

It was a jaw-dropping display from Halep, who needed just 56 minutes to prevail by a dominant 6-2 6-2 scoreline, committing just three unforced errors – the fewest on record in a Grand Slam final.

Halep, who denied Serena an elusive 24th major in the process, became the first Romanian female to win the Wimbledon title.

Instant Classic: Djokovic edges Federer in epic final

Novak Djokovic (PA Images)

Wimbledon introduced the 12-12 fifth set tiebreak for the first time in 2019 and what a stage for the first breaker in the singles tournament to be played.

It was ecstasy for Djokovic and heartbreak for Federer as the Serbian claimed his fifth Wimbledon title, saving two championship points in a 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 13-12(3) triumph.

Djokovic became the first man since Bob Falkenburg in 1948 to win the Wimbledon title after being championships points down, saving two at 7-8 in the deciding set. It was also the first time since the 2004 French Open that a man had saved championship points to win a major title.